TECHNICAL WRITINGOctober 6, 2014

TodayJob Applications: Résumés

ShouldContact info - NAME

Certification (e.g. test scores)

Education info

Work experience

* Family information*

Objective

Shouldn’tWage/salary expectations

Private info (e.g. marital status)

Slang and emoticon

Outdated information (e.g. elementary school education)

** Hobbies

Family history *

Photo

- LG Electronics, Sales Manager 2003 – 2007

- Fluent in English (spoken and written)

- Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access

- Kia Motors Company, Sales Assistant 2000 – 2001

- Master’s of Business Administration, HEC Paris 2001-2003

- SPSS

- Upper-intermediate French (spoken and written)

- Seeking a regional sales representative using my proven skills in e-commerce and communication to develop and expand a company base.

- Bachelor’s of Commerce, University of Southern California 1995 – 1999

- David Davidson1234 Dave St. Burbank California 95401 daved@gmail.com 707-555-6390

Résumé- A résumé may be the most important document for your job search.

- It proves 3 things to potential employers:

1. Proves you are qualified

2. Proves you care about the job

3. Proves you understand the working world

Résumé – What is it?A résumé is not:

- Your life story.

- Your emotional autobiography

- A college transcript.

Résumé - – What is it?- A résumé is a factual and concise summary of your

qualifications.

- A résumé shows prospective employers that you have the education and experience for the job you are applying for.

Think of it like a persuasive advertisement about yourself.

- It’s your billboard

Résumé - What employers like to see1. Honesty

- Be truthful about your qualifications:

- education

- experience

- skills

i.e., if you were the manager’s assistant, don’t say you were the assistant manager.

i.e., # 2: professor’s assistant vs. assistant professor

Résumé - What employers like to see2. Attractiveness

- The document should be “pleasing to the eye.”

- Appropriate spacing

- font

- use of boldface

This tells the employer that you are visually intelligent.

X

Résumé - What employers like to see3. Organization

- Careful organization of information is:- easy to follow- logical- consistent

This shows your ability to process information.

Résumé - What employers like to see4. Concise

- Keep to your purpose (get the job).

- Generally, your résumé should be 1 page (2 at the most).

- Résumés are written in SHORT sentences- They do not use the word “I”

- Use “action-packed” verbs.

Action-oriented language - ExamplesDuties at my last job:

I made the company website

Designed the company website.

I helped with lab reports

Assisted lab report composition.

I changed programs to suit each customer

Customized programs for customers.

Résumé - What employers like to see5. Accuracy

- Make sure:

- grammar - spelling

- dates

- names

-titles

-programs

Are ERROR-FREE

Inconsistencies and errors say: “I don’t know what I’m doing.”

credit: thechive.com

Real résumé linesGraduated in the top 66% of my class.

Thank you for your consideration. Hope to hear from you shorty!

I am very detail-oreinted.

Here are my qualifications for you to overlook.

Education: College, August 1880 - May 1984.

Résumé - What employers like to see6. Currency (current)

- Make sure that ALL information is up-to-date.

e.g.

Winner: ARRA Middle School speech contest, 1995

Résumé - What employers like to see7. Relevant

- Make sure the information is appropriate for the job.

Employers are looking for necessary education and

experience.

Résumé - What employers like to see1. Honesty – no false is misrepresented information

2. Attractiveness – proper font and layout

3. Organization – proper format

4. Conciseness – brief, and to the point (descriptive)

5. Accuracy – error-free

6. Currency – all information should be up-to-date

7. Relevance – Information should be relevant to the position

Résumé - What employers like to see

Which of these do you have?

Writing your résuméConsider these questions:

1. What classes did you excel in?

2. What papers, reports, or presentations earned you your highest grades?

3. What computer skills have you mastered?

Writing your résuméConsider these questions:

4. What technical skills (other than computer skills) have you acquired?

5. What jobs have you had?

6. Have you ever been promoted or chosen for special duty or tasks?

Writing your résuméConsider these questions:

7. Do you work well with people?

8. Can you organize complicated tasks or identify and solve problems quickly?

9. Have you had experiences/responsibilities managing money?

10. Have you won any awards or scholarships or received a raise, bonus, commendation, and/or promotion at work?

Parts of a résuméDo not include:

- Salary demands or expectations.- Work schedule preferences, days off, overtime- Travel restrictions- Your citizen’s number- Height, weight, hair color- Religion, political affiliations- Hobbies, interests (unless they are relevant)